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Love & Chocolate - Holidays in Hallbrook (Book 4)

By Elsie Davis

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Chapter One

Amanda flipped the sign on the front door of the bakery to show she was closed. She used to keep the Sweeter Side of Life open later, giving every romantic at heart a chance to pick up a last-minute sweet treat for their special someone. But not anymore.

If she wasn’t the only bakery in Hallbrook, she’d close the entire day. And not because it was a day to celebrate, but because it was a day not to celebrate. Valentine’s Day. Yuk! More like February Fool’s Day.

The cold blast of air chilled her through and through as she stepped outside. She set down the box of desserts she’d created for tonight’s silent auction fundraiser and turned to lock the door. After tightening her wool scarf and yanking her hat lower over her ears, she picked up the box. She headed down the street, preferring to walk the short distance to the Masonic Lodge where the annual Heart to Heart festival was being held.

Charity work as a single person on Valentine’s Day was one of the best and most rewarding outlets on a day that traditionally honored couples. At least it was according to an article she’d read in a magazine not long after her ex-boyfriend dumped her. The write-up had listed volunteering to help others as one of the top ten things to do as a single person on Valentine’s day. The idea was to not focus on being alone.

She’d volunteered for last year’s festival, knowing it was mostly older people and young kids with their families who attended. People either too young or too busy for romance, or past all the silly romantic trappings of Valentine’s Day. Not that romance was entirely missing. There were some who, no matter how old they got, always managed to find themselves on the dance floor.

Her continued single status had kept her at the top of the list for volunteers this year again. Everyone knew everything in Hallbrook, and there was no way to hide the truth. At times, it made her want to run and hide, but the small town was home, and she loved it. Not even the busybodies in town could change that.
The volunteer work had renewed her spirits and helped her not to dwell on being alone as she helped the Masons raise money for local families in need.

Unfortunately, if things kept going the way they were, Amanda might be one of those standing in line for help from the organization. After a bakery in Glen Haven opened six months ago, business had fallen off at the Sweeter Side of Life. It would take a miracle to keep it open.

The idea of closing up shop broke her heart. Her mother had opened the bakery twenty-three years ago, and most of the memories Amanda had were from making pastries and desserts together. Most of her childhood outside of school had been spent there, and it was when her mother taught Amanda almost everything she knew about baking.

Her mother’s passing two years ago had left a hole in Amanda’s heart the size of the Rio Grande. Dealing with Greg Miller’s betrayal at the same time had widened the chasm to the size of the Grand Canyon. Not a day went by that she didn’t miss her mother or face the guilt of not being at the hospital when she died. As for Greg, not a day went by that she didn’t remind herself what a jerk he’d been, and that he and his new wife were welcome to each other.

She picked up the pace, the cold permeating her jacket. Her outfit underneath was not her usual down-home warm and cozy attire. Instead, she wore a thin blouse and a pair of wool slacks to dress for the occasion.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Hanson,” she greeted the older man who worked in the post office and always had a ready smile for everyone in town.

“Good afternoon, Amanda.” He smiled and held the door open for her. The old house had been remodeled and was warm and welcoming to lodge members and guests alike.

“Thank you.” She appreciated the help, not wanting anything to happen to the contents of the box.

“My pleasure, young lady. What’s in the box? Some of your excellent cooking?” He followed her inside.

“Just some pastries for the party.” It was more than pastries, but Amanda was sworn to secrecy. “Looks as though a lot of people are already showing up. That’s a good sign.”

“Question is, why are you here? Again. That’s not a good sign. You’re too young to be hanging out with a bunch of old folks. Don’t you have a special man in your life taking you somewhere tonight?” With age, comes the ability to let loose one’s tongue apparently. He knew darn right well she wasn’t dating. The whole town made it their business to know. Mr. Hanson was on a fishing expedition.

“I have enough to worry about without adding a man to the mix. Someone’s got to be able to keep up with all of you old people.” She winked, managing to shock the older man, his broad smile proof he wasn’t offended by her bold teasing.
“I’ve got to drop these off.” Amanda nodded toward the box and walked away, headed for the kitchen.

She scanned the room, noting the festive appeal the decorations added. The Masons wasn’t a decorative group of guys, but Gemma, the event coordinator, certainly knew what she was doing. The place had red, pink, and white decorations everywhere. Hearts, hearts, and more hearts. Pink carnations at every table. Red napkins. The room draped in white tea lights. It was beautiful, if you were into that kind of thing. She used her hip to push open the swinging door that led into the kitchen.

“Am I ever glad to see you, Amanda.” Jack Johnson smiled as he took the box from her and set it on the counter.

“Thanks. I got here as soon as I could.” She removed her hat and scarf, the heat in the room quickly suffocating her. Jack pulled the tape from the box as she hung up her coat.

“These look fantastic. I wish I could bid on them. Thank you so much for helping out. I know you’re busy with the bakery and all, but I prefer to use different secret chefs to keep people guessing. You didn’t tell anyone, did you?”

“Not a word.” She slid her fingers across her lips like a zipper.

“Perfect. Is there any way I can get you to take out some of the snacks and make sure all the bowls are filled? I’ve got someone else working on the beverages.” He pointed at the table overflowing with bags of chips, pretzels, cookies, and candy.

“Of course. Just don’t blame me if I snack at each stop,” she joked. “You know I enjoy food.”

“Snack away. It’s not as if there isn’t plenty, and it’s not as though you have to worry about it.”

“Ha! Too many extra taste tests at the bakery and I’ve got the curves to prove it.” She grinned, grabbed a few bags of chips, and headed back through the door into the main hall. For the past few months, she’d tried to lose the extra fifteen pounds she’d put on after she tried to eat her way through her grief. However, nothing seemed to work, and honestly, she didn’t have the time to do much in the way of working out. The shop was time-consuming, and her downtime, well, that was better spent at home preparing for another day. At least she did get multiple daily walks with Cupcake, her chocolate Lab. Those counted for something.

Amanda spotted Jennifer coming her way. She hadn’t expected to see her best friend here because she was hot and heavy in a relationship with a guy she’d met in Lancaster. At the bowling alley of all places. Two mixed-up food orders, and ever since then, the couple were almost inseparable. Jennifer was in love with being in love, and it was the one area Amanda and her friend agreed to disagree.

“What are you doing here? I thought you’d be at some fancy restaurant being wooed and schmoozed by Will?” Amanda couldn’t help but tease her friend since Jennifer never missed a chance to try and hook her up with a blind date.

“Well, hello to you, too. And for your information, I’ll be at a fancy restaurant later. And I’ll take all the wooing and schmoozing I can get from my fiancé. We’re not all anti-Valentine’s Day. But I love you anyway.” Jennifer hugged her and then stepped back, her gaze traveling from Amanda’s head to her toes. “You look nice, but your outfit doesn’t exactly shout look at me.” She frowned.

“Haha. It’s cold outside, in case you haven’t noticed. Not about to get all gussied up and freeze. It’s bad enough I felt the urge to put on a silk blouse to dress up and at least look the part of a volunteer here.”

“Red is a great color on you. It’ll work.” Jennifer nodded as if coming to a decision.

“Work for what?” She knew better than to ask, but with Jennifer, sometimes it was better to find out what she was up to before it bit you in the backside.

“Get you noticed.” Jennifer smirked. “I was telling people all week this is the great new hot spot for singles on Valentine’s Day.” She looked around the room as if searching for some of those people.

“You’re bad. I don’t want to get noticed. I just want to go home.” Jennifer meant well, but she didn’t understand. Once upon a time, they’d both believed in love, but life had changed all that for Amanda. There was no looking back now.

“Will’s friend was disappointed you wouldn’t double date with us. You could still change your mind. I’m sure they have more than enough people to help out here if you don’t want to play meet-and-greet with the guys I specifically told that you’d be here.”

“Thanks, but no thanks. I’m needed here, and other than filling snack bowls, I’m not interested in anything else.” She held up the bag of chips in her hand as proof. “Especially not meeting people. You’ve got to stop trying to set me up, Jennifer. What are you doing here if you have a hot date?”

“I’m here to check on you and lend my support, and of course, warn you about…well, the others who might drop in. Our dinner reservation isn’t for another hour.”

Amanda wanted to be upset with her friend, but she did have the best of intentions. Warding off suitors was something she was quite experienced at by now, and tonight would be no different.

“May I have your attention, please?” A man spoke over the microphone from the front of the room, catching their attention. A hush fell over the place as everyone turned to listen. The man was dressed in a three-piece suit, which was a tad overdressed for the affair.

“Thank you all. I won’t take much of your time, but I have an announcement to make that I’m hoping will be of great interest to you all. My name is Zach Billings, and I’m with the Mega Online Marketing Corporation. Our company has decided to run a statewide recipe contest, and we’re announcing it at various events across the state today. My good friend, Jack Johnson, invited me here to share the exciting news. We chose today, Valentine’s Day, to kick off the event because it’s quite appropriate based on the theme. The contest is called Anything Chocolate. To enter, simply submit your best recipe for any food category, as long it includes, well, chocolate.” The man grinned, his gaze scanning the crowd as the buzz of excitement filtered across the room and everyone started discussing the news.

Mr. Billings held up his hand to continue. “The deadline is in two weeks at midnight. The last day of February. A select panel of judges will create and test the top recipes selected based on the initial appeal. The winning recipe will receive twenty-five thousand dollars and an online promotional presence to promote their recipe. Full details are available at the signup table and online at our website. Good luck to you all!” He stepped down off the podium, and several people gathered around to ask him questions.

Amanda couldn’t help the sudden rush of adrenaline that coursed through her body as the information sunk in. This could be exactly what she needed to save the bakery. Twenty-five thousand dollars was a heck of a lot of money, but combined with the online campaign, it was so much more. Marketing was the key to help her grow by reaching new clientele and making the bakery profitable again.

Amanda yanked on Jennifer’s sleeve. “Did you hear that? This is the answer.”
“What do you mean? The answer to what?” Her friend’s forehead scrunched up in confusion.

“The bakery. You know I can’t keep going the way I am. I’m going to enter the contest, and I’m going to win. It’ll save the bakery.” She couldn’t wait to tell Grandpa.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea. Just don’t get your hopes up too high. The man mentioned it’s statewide, and that means a lot of recipes. Every cook in the state will be sending something in hopes of winning that kind of money.”

“I know. But it’s a sign. Me being here tonight, the contest being announced here. It’s the perfect solution. I just need to create something spectacular.”
Jennifer shook her head and smiled. “If anyone can do it, you can. You’ve already got my vote. But are you forgetting one teeny-tiny factor?”

“What’s that?” Amanda gazed at her friend, not at all following her.

“You don’t like chocolate.”

“I don’t hate it. It’s just not my thing. It shouldn’t stop me from testing a few recipes to find the perfect one.” Too much chocolate one night when she was eight had cured any desire she had for the sweet treat most of America thrived on. It was the night she’d come home from the hospital only to discover her father had walked out of the house, leaving to start a new family. The memory of having her heart broken and an aching stomach had been enough to cure her of ever craving chocolate again.

“Make sure I’m on your list of testers. You know I love your cooking.” Jennifer grinned.

“You’ll be one of the first, I promise.” Amanda nodded, gazing around the room. The place was packed. “There’s an excellent turnout this year. A lot more kids than I expected.”

“But understandable. Check out all the new things there’ve added. It looks as though every corner of this place has something set up for fun and games. Parents probably consider this an opportunity for free babysitting.”
“There is that.” Amanda grinned.

“Ooh la la. Check out that guy.” Jennifer poked her in the arm and pointed across the room. A gorgeous hunk of a man stood there alone, looking lost and out of place. Most people were milling about talking to each other, but not this guy.

Their gazes locked, and for one second, Amanda recognized the flare of appreciation in his eyes, but then she looked away. “It’s a guy. So what?” The last thing she needed to do was encourage her friend. For all Amanda knew, it was one of the men Jennifer had sent here. More reason to stay away. Men didn’t just drop in at the Heart to Heart festival as the place wasn’t exactly the hot-spot mecca for singles.

“You need to get over that jerk Greg. Stop letting him run your life.” Jennifer crossed her arms and squared off with Amanda.

“He’s not running my life. I’ve chosen to focus on the bakery. I see nothing wrong with that. Not everyone has to date. I’m happy the way I am.” It wasn’t to say that her life was perfect, but it was better than the pain that came with trusting someone with your heart, only to then have them stomp on it.

“If you say so. But I still remember little Amanda planning and preparing her wedding when she was seven years old. Don’t look now, but that guy and Tanner Wilson are headed this way. I wonder how they know each other?”

“So he’s not one of your setups?”

“Um, no. I’ve never seen the guy before.”

“Guess it’s time for me to make an exit.” Amanda turned to leave but found herself held firmly in place as Jennifer grabbed her arm.

“Stop running away. If you’re determined not to date, then you shouldn’t be worried about meeting people. One does not have to be synonymous with the other. You don’t have to be unsociable.” It wasn’t often Jennifer went into preaching mode.

“Yes, mother.” Amanda stopped resisting and accepted the inevitable. Besides, her friend was more than likely right.

“Fancy meeting two of the prettiest ladies in Hallbrook, and on Valentine’s night of all nights.” Tanner chuckled. He leaned forward and hugged Jennifer, dropping a friendly peck on her cheek, and then doing the same with Amanda. They’d all grown up together since kindergarten, and Tanner was one of those happily married men who smiled at life.

“Hey, Tanner. Where’s Missy tonight?” Amanda didn’t see them out and about often apart. True love. The two of them were a great example of when things worked out right. But Amanda’s parents were a far greater reminder of what happened when things fell apart, and then there was Greg. He never even made the commitment of marriage before he was off and running.

“Her mother’s coming over later to watch the kids, and then I’m taking her out. This is Kevin Thompson, the newest addition to Turlington High’s staff. He works with me in the science department and is the new chemistry teacher. I thought it would be nice to bring him out to meet some other people from town, and this is where it’s happening tonight.”

The man reached out to shake her hand, and their eyes met and held for the second time that evening. A piercing green, the color reminded her of emeralds. “It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.”

“Amanda Tillman. Calling me ma’am makes me sound old.” His handshake was firm and warm, his large hand engulfing her own.

“Then Amanda it is, for you are certainly not old.” She admired the way he smiled and how the corners of his eyes crinkled. Dressed in jeans and a cable-knit sweater, he looked relaxed and comfortable. Far more comfortable than she was dressed in her volunteer special.

“And I’m Jennifer. Her best friend who already has a date tonight. Are you single, Kevin?” She shook hands with the man.

Amanda groaned. This was precisely why she’d wanted to run when she’d had the chance. Jennifer wasn’t shy about anything. “Don’t answer that. I’m sorry. She’s a bit forward.” Amanda shook her head and shrugged. The poor man’s look of comfort vanished in a split second.

“Yes, Kevin is single. And so is Amanda. Imagine that. And it’s Valentine’s Day.” Tanner clapped a hand on Kevin’s back and beamed.

“You mentioned you were bringing me here to meet people, Tanner, not women. Had you been clearer, we might’ve avoided this awkwardness.” The man might be uncomfortable, but he didn’t sidestep the issue. She appreciated a man who could speak his mind and hold his own in any situation.

“Ignore them,” Amanda told him. “This one—” she pointed at Tanner, “—is happily married and has been ridiculous in his efforts to promote the matrimonial state for everyone else ever since. And this one—” she pointed to Jennifer, “—just got engaged. And you have no worries with me because I’m not interested in dating or relationships.”

Kevin nodded. “Then I guess we’re on the same page.” He smiled, his pearly white teeth beaming back at her with genuine relief, a sight that made her heart race a bit faster. The man was far too attractive for his own good.

“All the more reason for the two of you to hang out together tonight” Tanner wasn’t backing down after the apparent rebuff.

Kevin shook his head and sent Tanner a warning look. “I think I’ll have a look around. It was a pleasure to meet you, ladies. Have a nice evening.” Kevin turned and walked off, not waiting for an answer.
“He’s a great guy, and although I’ve just met him, I think he’s going to fit in Hallbrook just fine. You might want to reconsider your stance on relationships and scoop him up before somebody else catches his eye. Just so you know, I brought him over to meet you because I noticed him checking you out.” He winked and then walked away, leaving Amanda speechless.

“I knew it. You need to give that hunky man a chance.” Jennifer wanted her to have what she had, but her friend simply couldn’t accept Amanda wasn’t in the market for a soul mate.

“Attractive and dreamy green eyes do not a partner for life make.” Amanda moved to the next snack table and started refilling the bowls.

“Well, there’s a start. You’ve admitted the guy is attractive, and that he has dreamy eyes. Tanner and I will just have to find a way for you to get to know one another? Don’t you worry, between the two of us, we’ll figure something out.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

Jennifer glanced down at her watch. “Oops, it’s time for me to go. My chariot awaits,” she teased, dropping a kiss on Amanda’s cheek before she scurried away.

Amanda shook her head, unable to believe what had just transpired. And if her friends were going to push them together as a couple, imagine what the matchmakers in town would do if they got an inkling to meddle. She’d do well to steer clear of Kevin for the rest of the night. Jennifer and Tanner were enough to deal with already.
 

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